I'm A Cultivator

"Liz, this is Alex. Are you still awake?"

After knocking on her door for a few times, Liz finally opened the door.

She saw Alex and his trolley after opening the door. With a bit of confusion, she asked, "What's up?"

"Alright, to be honest I was the one who looted your place, so I'm feeling a bit guilty. I didn't know if you'll comeback so I did it. I cleared the nearby supermarket earlier and I just thought I might as well invite you to stock up and make it up to you. You're low on food, right? What do you think?"

"You know, we've been on the same building for weeks and I never had the chance to talk to you. So, yeah, let's go and might as well get to know each other. New neighbors won't be renting anytime soon, right?"

Liz giggled and smiled. She agreed with the plan and grabbed her modified baseball bat.

"Alright, let's go." Liz shook the keys that dangled from her hand.

"Wow, I didn't know you own a car."

"I didn't have one. Just got this one after shopping around yesterday."

Alex smirk s in understanding. " Okay, I'll shop around too when I have some time. By the way, the supermarket is just on the intersection, do you really want to bring your car?"

"Well, you already cleared the supermarket, so using a car to transport items should be faster than using trolleys?"

Alex thought about it. He already cleared the supermarket and one street next to it. He also cleared the road on the way back so even if there's zombies remaining, their numbers should be on the low side.

"Yeah, that might be a better idea." Alex nodded and placed the trolley next to the stairs.

Liz waited leaning on a black SUV. Alex isn't really a car enthusiast, so all cars look the same to him. A four wheeled storage box that transports people and goods around.

"Do you want to drive?"

Liz offered as he got closer.

"No, I don't know how to drive."

"Hey, what better time to learn than now? A week ago, you can get in trouble if you hit something. Now, you can hit everything and you'll be fine."

Alex thought for a bit and nodded his head. If he wants to survive for a long time, knowing how to drive is an important thing.

"Hope you don't regret it."

Alex took the car keys and circled to the driver's seat.

"Okay, I at least know that I need to insert the key here and... that's it."

Alex turned to Liz looking for guidance. She did not disappoint.

Liz taught him the basics and after a couple of hard brakes, toppled trash bins and near-crash experiences, Alex was able to drive in a straight road. As for turning and spacing, he needs more practice with that.

Alex successfully parked on the supermarket's parking lot. It was diagonally parked but he chose an empty corner to avoid other cars.

"Congratulations, you can drive now. Though I suggest you also try automatic instead of driving a stick."

Alex nodded. "Yeah, using a stick is a bit hard. I'll try and look for an automatic car. I might be able to do some fun things with one."

Liz assessed the damage on the bumper and ignored them seeing minor scratches.

Groaaaa.

Haaaaaar.

The two turned around and saw zombies appear on the side of the supermarket.

The zombies looked like they were looking for something. Their clothes tattered and their skin is rotting.

They have red eyes and their mouths are always open with black drool oozing out.

Their movements are slow and clumsy but when they saw Alex and Liz, they start sprinting and roaring.

Three zombies charged at them. Liz panicked seeing the speed and the numbers.

"Ah, damn! They're got a head start. Let's go, we can use the car to escape."

Liz pulled Alex but he didn't budge. He was confused for a bit why they need to run away until he remembered that Liz's fighting style is mostly running away and only fight if left with no choice.

Seeing Alex being calm and confident, Liz didn't know what to do. She couldn't pull him and now it's too late as the zombies were too close.

"Shit! Let's attack the first one together and pin it down. Then we'll take one each."

Alex suddenly walked forward which surprised Liz.

"You stay back. I'll handle them. Just cover me when you can."

Alex played with his wooden bat and dodged the first zombie lunging forward, tripping its legs on the process.

He swung from the side and used Power Smash striking the second zombie's cheek. It's jaws got broken as teeth, blood and saliva flew out. It remained standing but didn't move like it was stunned.

The third one came and got close to his face but he swatted it away with his empty hand empowered by Power Smash.

Liz didn't know what to do at first but seeing the first zombie trying to stand up, she bashed its head and made sure it permanently stayed down.

Though she didn't have much strength, she had enough power to kill a disabled target. The modification also helped as the nails got lodged deep enough to deal lethal damage.

By the time she looked up, Alex was already finishing the remaining zombies.

Liz widened her eyes as she came to a realization.

"You're a cultivator?!"

Alex scratched his head.

"Cultivator? If that's what's trending online, then yes, I am a cultivator."

Liz became excited.

"It makes sense now. That's why you were able to clear the supermarket. That'why you're not afraid of going out alone."

Alex become confused. "You're not a cultivator? Why? Did you not try out the guide online?"

"I saw the guide online. I thought it was fake and delusional at first but after another user made a post about it, I got curious. I can feel I'm getting stronger the more I use the Breathing Technique, but I'm having a hard time to gather and control my energy. It's like it doesn't want to work with me."

Liz couldn't help but pour her thoughts out due to frustration.

Alex nodded his head. "It might take some time but you should get there as long as you continue cultivating using the technique. I only got this strong after cultivating all this time."

"Right, that's probably why I feel something strange about you. I keep noticing that you're using the breathing technique like it's a natural thing to do."

Alex frowned. "Isn't that normal?"

Liz frowned harder. "Why would that be normal? I can use the breathing technique just fine if I'm consciously doing it. As for subconsciously using it like what you're doing, I can't do it. I ran out of breathe too quickly or my breathing suddenly goes back to what I'm used to and I start choking up from having too much air."

Alex didn't know what to say. He just learned that not everyone can subconsciously use the breathing technique which is an easy thing to do for him.

"I don't really know how to explain that since everything is also new to me. Let's continue this conversation on another time when we're on a safer place."

Liz didn't pursue the matter and moved on to a different topic.

"So, what are you? A mage? A monk? Or maybe a knight? What's your class?"

"Class?"

"You know, your job as a cultivator. Everyone is different and I heard from the forums that everyone has a different path or class they want to follow. What's yours?"

Alex couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't browse much about other topics and mostly read tips on survival and latest updates from governments, so he didn't know what other people were already treating the apocalypse like an MMO.

"I'm not sure. I don't have anything specific in mind. Besides, we don't even know if we can cast skills like those classes do."

"I know, it's just a thought. Let's go and loot up before zombies find us again."

"Of course."

"I was hoping you'll say no."

Alex and Liz smiled at each other.